What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Tranexamic Acid
AstringentAscorbic Acid
AntioxidantAscorbyl Glucoside
AntioxidantWater
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButyrospermum Parkii Butter
Skin ConditioningMethacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine
Behenyl Methacrylate/T-Butyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Dimethicone
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningIsopropyl Myristate
EmollientOlea Europaea Fruit Oil
MaskingOctyldodecyl Myristate
EmollientBehenyl Alcohol
EmollientGlyceryl Stearate
EmollientGlycosyl Trehalose
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate
HumectantCetyl Dimethicone
EmollientGlyceryl Methacrylate
Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSodium Acetylated Hyaluronate
HumectantHydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid
HumectantSodium Hyaluronate
HumectantSoluble Collagen
HumectantCollagen Powder
HumectantCamellia Japonica Extract
Skin ConditioningArnica Montana Extract
Skin ConditioningPueraria Lobata Root Extract
HumectantMorus Alba Extract
AstringentPaeonia Officinalis Flower Extract
TonicRose Extract
Skin ConditioningSalvia Officinalis Extract
AntimicrobialCitrus Junos Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningCoix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningArtemisia Vulgaris Extract
Skin ConditioningCitrus Limon Fruit Extract
MaskingSimmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
EmollientSqualane
EmollientBeeswax
Emulsion StabilisingPEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate
EmulsifyingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingPolysorbate 60
EmulsifyingPEG-3 Stearate
HumectantHexyldeceth-2
EmulsifyingTocopherol
AntioxidantDisodium EDTA
Potassium Hydroxide
BufferingCitric Acid
BufferingSodium Citrate
BufferingPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeParfum
MaskingTranexamic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Water, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine, Behenyl Methacrylate/T-Butyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Dimethicone, Pentylene Glycol, Isopropyl Myristate, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil, Octyldodecyl Myristate, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Glycosyl Trehalose, Hydrogenated Starch Hydrolysate, Cetyl Dimethicone, Glyceryl Methacrylate, Acrylates/Stearyl Methacrylate Copolymer, Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Soluble Collagen, Collagen Powder, Camellia Japonica Extract, Arnica Montana Extract, Pueraria Lobata Root Extract, Morus Alba Extract, Paeonia Officinalis Flower Extract, Rose Extract, Salvia Officinalis Extract, Citrus Junos Fruit Extract, Coix Lacryma-Jobi Ma-Yuen Seed Extract, Artemisia Vulgaris Extract, Citrus Limon Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Squalane, Beeswax, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylene Glycol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum, Polysorbate 60, PEG-3 Stearate, Hexyldeceth-2, Tocopherol, Disodium EDTA, Potassium Hydroxide, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum
Water
Skin ConditioningButylene Glycol
HumectantDibutyl Adipate
EmollientDiethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV FilterBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin ConditioningAlcohol
AntimicrobialAcrylates Copolymer
Butyloctyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialEthylhexyl Triazone
UV AbsorberPhenethyl Benzoate
EmollientArbutin
Antioxidant1,2-Hexanediol
Skin ConditioningSilica
AbrasiveMethylpropanediol
SolventIsoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate
UV AbsorberPolysilicone-15
UV FilterPolymethylsilsesquioxane
Panax Ginseng Root Extract
EmollientPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningDibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide
Skin ConditioningC30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2
AbsorbentSodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingEthyl Hexanediol
SolventHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Berry Extract
Skin ConditioningPanax Ginseng Extract
AntioxidantPanax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningAdenosine
Skin ConditioningXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingDisodium EDTA
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantTocopherol
AntioxidantWater, Butylene Glycol, Dibutyl Adipate, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Alcohol, Acrylates Copolymer, Butyloctyl Salicylate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Phenethyl Benzoate, Arbutin, 1,2-Hexanediol, Silica, Methylpropanediol, Isoamyl P-Methoxycinnamate, Polysilicone-15, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Pentylene Glycol, Dibutyl Ethylhexanoyl Glutamide, Dibutyl Lauroyl Glutamide, C30-45 Alkyldimethylsilyl Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Ethyl Hexanediol, Hydroxyacetophenone, Panax Ginseng Berry Extract, Panax Ginseng Extract, Panax Ginseng Leaf/Stem Extract, Adenosine, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Tocopherol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAEthylhexylglycerin is created from glycerin. It is a multitasker ingredient that:
The CIR Expert Panel found minimal skin absorption or sensitization of any kind in a safety assessment. Though this ingredient is considered well-tolerated, a small number of cases of allergic dermatitis have been published since 2002. Just be sure to patch test if you are unsure.
Industry-reported use ranges from 8% in rinse-off products and 2% in leave-on formulations.
Learn more about EthylhexylglycerinGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolTocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant known as Vitamin E.
You'll find this ingredient in the vast majority of skincare (for good reason). It works to neutralize free radicals, or unstable molecules generated by UV exposure, pollution, and other environmental stressors, before they can cause oxidative damage to your skin cells.
Topically applied tocopherol has been shown to protect against UV damage by ramping up the skin's own natural defense enzymes.
It also acts as a skin conditioning agent; some studies show that regular topical use can improve the skin's water-binding capacity over 2-4 weeks.
This ingredient is especially loved for being a team player. When combined with Vitamin C, the photoprotective effect of both ingredients roughly doubles and the combo also helps reduce UV-induced DNA damage.
This ingredient has some brightening potential but it's more of a prevention ingredient than spot-fader. Cell studies show it can slow down melanin production but it's worth noting that it's not the most powerful brightener out there.
In formulations, it also serves as a stabilizer that helps protect other oxidation-prone ingredients from degrading.
Concentrations usually range from 0.1-1% in most leave-on products.
Learn more about TocopherolWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterXanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.
On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.
Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.
Learn more about Xanthan Gum